14th October 2010

 

Christmas is just around the corner and that means one thing big expense, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you start saving now and shop smart you can have a great Christmas without breaking the bank.

 

• Set yourself a budget and stick to it. List who you have to buy for, allocate each person an amount and do not go over.

• Make a list for everything you need for Christmas including food, presents, and cards and wrapping paper.

• Start saving now; put some money away each week or month to ensure you have enough. A great way to do this is to get one of our BabeeCards, which is a Prepaid MasterCard. Add a bit each week and it will be ready to spend at Christmas. You can then take advantage of our Discount Club where you can save money at over a hundred high street retailers.

• Instead of having a weekly/monthly takeaway, have a homemade meal and save the money for Christmas: you will be surprised how much you save.

• Starts shopping early to help spread the costs, especially with long life food get it early before it sells out. I find that mincemeat filling for Mince Pies sells out every year!

• Take advantage of new season sales, retailers often have money off new stock.

• A lot of shops have 3 for 2’s on their Christmas lines. This is a great way to get more for less.

• Make your own presents; a homemade present is appreciated more. Play to your strengths: bake cookies, make chocolate truffles, bottle jams or sew lavender bags. Handmade cards look great and give that personal touch.

• Instead of buying a gift why not offer to babysit for friends or cook them a meal.

• Only buy what you need. Don’t be tempted by buying those little extras, they are not needed and often take you way over your budget.

• Split the costs of Christmas Dinner with family or friends. Have a big family meal and each bring a course.

Remember Christmas doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune to have a good time, spending quality time with family and friends will assure that. Make sure you don’t start the new year in debt.

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